. Originally used as a unit of measurement of angles (a degree of arc), the term later referred to degrees of merit or quality.Extra examplesHe skipped a grade so he finished high school early.He still wants to play top grade football.I need to improve my grades.My daughter is in (the) fifth grade.My son will be starting third grade this fall.She got a failing grade for that assignment.She was offered a job at a lower grade.The majority of staff are on the same grade.The oral exam constitutes 10% of the final grade.You’ve maintained a 3.9 grade point average.a piece of high grade building landan A-grade essaylarge pay increases for senior gradeslow grade steelthe people on management gradesGrade A beefHe moved up three grades in just a year.She’s still only on a secretarial grade.The higher grades within the organization usually get bigger pay rises.The hill has a grade of 25%.These topics are suitable for seventh grade.We hiked up a short steep grade.a piece of top grade beefIdioms